Latest update January 20th, 2025 4:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Review laws regarding police use of unmarked vehicles

Sep 05, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor,
I have slowly and painfully come to accept the fact that my once beloved native land is hurtling at a breakneck speed towards the abyss of destruction and possible extinction. In fact it is literally going to hell in a handcart. At the risk of sounding moronic at best, permit me to ask, “Who’s running the show?
Have the inmates taken over the asylum? Seemingly so! On reading the recent article regarding Constable Leroy English who sustained injuries to his right hand and foot, manner unknown, I was once again reminded of the current status quo. Let us momentarily forget about the unmarked cars, and focus on the actions of the members of the Police Force and the so called arms of the law, Strangely, their behaviour is strikingly similar to those of the Keystone Cops of the 1920’s. Why were there three cars, and for what offence was the young businessman guilty, that warranted a high speed chase. Are there no directives in force for the public to follow regarding when being stopped by an unmarked police car? Such a gesture is extremely important especially given the increasing number of carjacking incidents. One of the major concerns about the use of unmarked police cars for routine traffic stops is, ironically, safety. In Canada and America pertinent to the policy of police using unmarked cars is the fact that an unmarked police car can stop vehicles, but it must contain a constable who MUST be in uniform in order to carry out the stop. Under what system is green land of Guyana operating?
The use of unmarked cars for traffic stops has produced unintended, and quite tragic, results. A number of cases have cropped up of criminals posing as policemen in unmarked cars. Imagine that the young Da Silva even had time while driving to telephone his father and alert him to the ongoing car chase. Hopefully his vehicle falls into the category of those that permit hands- free calling. For had he been resident in the U.S.A or Canada he would have been looking at a serious charge , along with demerit points on his driver’s licence , if this act was conducted while driving. He would have been telling his father a different story.
In the state of Mississippi, for example, two people in separate incidents last year were gunned down on state highways by police impersonators. The criminal had used fake police cars to pull over the unsuspecting victims. This growing fear of fake unmarked cars being used to victimize drivers has inspired a groundswell of support in favor of restricting officers from using unmarked police cars to make traffic stops for routine offenses. In addition pray tell me, was the time of night not a factor to be taken into consideration. In the report both father and son have stated that the men were in civilian clothes.\, and at no time did the police identify themselves s being agents of the law. To compound this blatant ongoing comedy of errors, both father and son were detained. Who supplied the information that determined detention was necessary? The father and son duo went to report a matter, then things turned around against them. On commenting regarding this humorous saga, a senior police official stated that ranks operating in unmarked police vehicles are not supposed to intercept, but instead to carry out surveillance and notify the anti-crime patrols. He said that the Force’s internal investigation arm, the Office of Professional Responsibility, is presently investigating the matter. It is my fervent desire, on behalf of the citizens, that the Force will act with expedient force, forcing those involved to be aware of existing policies governing unmarked cars. The cops involved in the high speed chase should be subjected to a speedy mandatory review of the rules governing unmarked vehicles and police conduct when in same. The long arm of the law should not cause long harm.
Aleuta—The struggle continues
Yvonne Sam

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 13th, 2025

 

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Madray, Klass impress on Day Two

Madray, Klass impress on Day Two

Jan 20, 2025

Terrence Ali National Open… …GDF poised for Best Gym award Kaieteur Sports- The second day of the Terence Ali National Open Boxing Championship unfolded with a series of exhilarating matchups on...
Read More
Sajid, Noman, Abrar share all 20 wickets as Pakistan go 1-0 up

Sajid, Noman, Abrar share all 20 wickets as...

Jan 20, 2025

India skittle WI, SL bundle out Malaysia

India skittle WI, SL bundle out Malaysia

Jan 20, 2025

The shortest Test match to produce a result in Pakistan

The shortest Test match to produce a result in...

Jan 20, 2025

Windies crumble to spin as Pakistan seize control with 202-run lead in Multan

Windies crumble to spin as Pakistan seize control...

Jan 19, 2025

Ashby, Inverary, Lewis among winners on Friday

Ashby, Inverary, Lewis among winners on Friday

Jan 19, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]